Using the Dehydrator for bananas and kiwi

[applianceguy47]

I had more bananas and Kiwi than I thought I could eat before they went bad, so...

 

 

 

[applianceguy47]

first the bananas

 

[applianceguy47]

loading

 

[applianceguy47]

.

 

[applianceguy47]

kiwi

first to remove skins.

 

[applianceguy47]

ready to be sliced.

 

[applianceguy47]

slicing

 

[applianceguy47]

loading

 

[applianceguy47]

putting on the cover

 

[applianceguy47]

set the temperature

 

[applianceguy47]

plug in

I put this outside, on my porch, so the heat, humidity and light noise isn't in the house.

 

[applianceguy47]

.

brrr-r,  it's 50 degrees out.  I almost need a jacket today.

 

[yogitunes]

Banana's, chopping, removing the skin......gives me chills before you even think of that outside temp!

 

[westie2]

I like bananachips like you are making. I have dried strawberries never thought about doing kiwis. Have you ever dried different veggies for soup. Very goo d tocarry camping.

 

[applianceguy47]

Almost 4 hours

Checking the progress.

 

[applianceguy47]

the kiwi

looks good.

 

[applianceguy47]

bananas

a little browning, thats to be expected.    I don't dip my produce in anything before drying. 

 

If one were going to to dry these to be stored for a longer period of time outside of the refrigerator, I believe you're to use a lemon juice concoction.

 

I haven't tried vegies yet Charles.   I would like to try brocoli, carrots, maybe green peppers and green onions.

 

Do you dip your vegies in anything before drying?  What do you store yours in?  

 

[whirlaway]

Sweet Potatoes?

My beagle luvs those sweet potatoe treets from the pet shop,but gosh they are so expensive so I have been debating buying a dehyedrator,for him.I like bananas also and kiwi.What do you think? About the potatoes?

 

[applianceguy47]

I didn't know dogs ate potatoes... but apparently they do.   Your dog has good taste.

 

They probably like the texture when dried, and they are healthy.  A dehydrator, like this,  will work great.

 

Good for you if you pursue this.  Apparently, there are some products from China that aren't so healthy.

 

Do you have a picture of your Beagle you can share with us?

 

 

http://www.dogtreatkitchen.com/sweet-potato-dog-chew.html

 

[whirlaway]

I have pics I just have to figure out how to get them on her

Hi! I have a tan &white beagle,he is my second one,an spca cast off.I luv him better than most people luv their children sometimes, he is the light of my life.He luvs carrots and bananas,He is 7 so sweet all of the children in the neighborhood luv him dearly,we walk twice a day.He knows where all of the other dogs live, Thanks I will get a dehydrator,they make good sense. Bobby

 

[westie2]

For Brocoli we break it up into small flowerettes than steam blanch for about 5 minuted the dhydrate at 125 same with white potaos. The rest slice 1/8 inch thick and place in and dehydrate. Any summer squash is great too. Like the yellow squash and dipperes for dip.

We store in capped fruit jars or zip lock freezer bags. For the soup with tomato we make tomato paste leather like fruit leather. Learned lots of this working witht he Boy and Girl scouts.

here is a link to doing some veggies.

http://www.howtogardenadvice.com/harvesting/how_to_dehydrate_dry_vegetables.html

 

[applianceguy47]

Finished

kiwi

 

[applianceguy47]

banana

 

[applianceguy47]

clean-up.

There was very little residue with these. I probably could have put them aways as is, but... I spray with water first, let them soak about 5 minutes, then with dishsoap and vegetable brush clean the surfaces, and rinse with hot water.

 

[applianceguy47]

The bottom pan

there wasn't anything on this.

 

[applianceguy47]

ready for storage

This will last 2-3 weeks for me. A little each day.

A few slices of kiwi, and about 10 banana pieces, constitute a daily serving and its complete will all, or most of the nutriants, sealed inside.

Right now, I'm storing my dried foods in the refrig. If I were going to store on the shelf I would dry a bit longer and use glass jars. The pieces here are rubbery, but not really pliable.

I would be sure to store in a cool area without exposure to light, as that destroys vitamins.

As for economy and energy usage:
The Dehydrator was on for about 8 hours.
It uses 500 watts an hour when running, which is continuous. So that's 1/2 kilowatt an hour.
If you take an average kilowatt cost of .10, this cost about $0.40 total to operate.
Not bad in my opinion. If your off-grid, that load is certainly manageable.

The kiwi are like candy, in my opinion. Not having to do the messy job of peeling them, and the sweet taste in a bite size piece, is what makes it for me.

 

[applianceguy47]

breakfast

Thank-you Charles for the link and advice. I will have to try your recipe for brocoli. I will probably steam.

I'm new to this but I'm SOLD. Little mess, easy storage, preservation of nutrients, economical, low energy useage, and all natural healthy ingredients.
I prefer to do my own because store bought dried food isn't the greatest if the food has had sulfur dioxide added to preserve color.


Flaxseed cereal with raisins, vitamins, variety of fruit. It was Yummy !

The strawberries I dried 3 weeks ago and they are just as tasty and desirable.

 

[whirlaway]

Sweet potatoes

Those you have on here look like the ones that come from Carolina,made also there but my goodness,for what they charge at pet-smart,and in the last 6months they have doubled in price.The ones made in China,I wouldnt buy anyway,looked embalmed.Scary very plastic like.I buy Skipper only whats made in this country.Im going thrifting so there is a good chance I will find a dehydrater.I have seen thembut following your thread,I can do that!!!! Im not a very good cook at all! That is also something I need to be eating. Thanks!!!!! Bobby Oh I will see my brother and post some pics!

 

[westie2]

Here is one handy thing to have and it makes perfect slices of the tomatos, strawberrys, banana.s kiwi any soft fruit.  We have my mother in laws from the 50's use it all the time.  Just the right thickness for using in dehydrator.  Dried tomatos are great to have on hand.   Here is a picture of one.  Most major supermarkets should have these.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TM4L7G...e=asn&creative=395133&creativeASIN=B001TM4L7G